Making a cloche block from a styrofoam head is simple and it works as both a form to create a head fitting hat over or a pressing ham to steam press your seams over. You can size up a foam head from it usual size of about 21″ sometimes a little under to you own size plus a little ease.
Here is how and the pattern pieces to make it work.
Print out the pattern and cut out sets of the pattern starting from the largest and then cutting down the pattern and cut the next smallest pattern and so on. You can get cotton batting by the package or by the yard at a fabric or quilt store. I like dream angel cause it has some stretch a needled batting like warm and natural is treated so it does not stretch out of shape inside your quilt.
Cut out sets of two each side pieces and one each of the center piece. Sew them together along the cut edges with a zig-zig or Triple zig-zag stitch holding the pieces butt up against each other.
Slide the smallest one first onto the styrofoam head, smooth it down, it should look like this from the side.
And this from the top. Keep adding them one by one until you reach your head size.
If you are making the lace cloche from my pattern then it’s a good idea to add a piece of 1″ bias tape around the head to make just how low the cloche should fit.
Covering the padded head with aluminum foil is a good idea. It gives you a good heat blocking surface to iron against. And keeps the cotton from shading onto the inside of your hat.
If you are making the lace cloche hat then the edge of the bias on the block will be the break between the crown and the brim of the cloche (orange ribbon).
